ILB: Filling the open slot ?

[mraynrand]

So wist wasn't out east, he is setting up trip lines in De Pere for Martinez?

More like:

[RashanGary]

My guess is that Raven Greene will fill the position on the majority of snaps. In run scenarios they may get creative standing Z up near the line, or Gary, or could be anyone really...including summers, bolton, crawford depending on who makes the cut.

I was thinking something like this too. Down the road, if we stumble into a young safety so good we can’t keep him off the field, I could see Amos play that LB spot too. 6’ damn near 220 and reliable against the run and pass. I don’t think that’s a right now solution tho, we just don’t have a starting caliber safety right now besides Amos and I think Savage will benefit if Amos stays put for this first year.

[pbmax]

More like:
]

Maybe all the hamstring injuries mean he has to get the thing sighted.

[pbmax]

My guess is that Raven Greene will fill the position on the majority of snaps. In run scenarios they may get creative standing Z up near the line, or Gary, or could be anyone really...including summers, bolton, crawford depending on who makes the cut.

Agree, they might simply spend even less time in base. However, someone has to go in when they are heavy and that will be a backer by build at least.

[hoosier]

But wasn't Burks supposed to be the LB with speed and quickness to cover RBs and TEs while also providing a little more bulk than your average converted safety? His loss, it seems to me, will be felt less when facing heavy formations and more against multiple receiver.

[pbmax]

But wasn't Burks supposed to be the LB with speed and quickness to cover RBs and TEs while also providing a little more bulk than your average converted safety? His loss, it seems to me, will be felt less when facing heavy formations and more against multiple receiver.

Sure. But the odds of finding a replacement with the same physical dimensions are low at this point. So someone bigger and slower (like Morrison last year) will get the base package snaps while someone smaller and niftier gets the sub package snaps. I just bet they prefer going light and encouraging the run rather than encouraging a play action pass against a Morrison type.

[Radagast]

But wasn't Burks supposed to be the LB with speed and quickness to cover RBs and TEs while also providing a little more bulk than your average converted safety? His loss, it seems to me, will be felt less when facing heavy formations and more against multiple receiver.

Indeed, both the ILB and the OLB positions have evolved over time. On most teams an ILB serves as the "Field General" for the defense. He must play both the run as well as cover receivers too. If he is too light he could get nullified by heavier OL on running plays. If he is too heavy receivers might leave him in the dust when he tries to cover them.

IMO, the ILB and the Safety positions might be the most complex two positions on a teams defense. A player that lacks any of the skill factors the positions require will find defenses taking full advantage of that weakness. Summers seems to have the size and the speed to play the position at the pro level, but is he coachable enough to be ready to start in Week 1 vs Da Bears? I believe that it is mostly a matter of the increased speed of the pro game and the need to make equally fast decisions that may be Summers challenge right now. The Trainers can build up his strength and agility training can improve his footwork as well as his handwork, but teaching Summers to react on instinct to counter opposing offenses is a job that his coaches are responsible for. If their reports on his progress are encouraging, then Gute may be more focused on other position players instead of trying to add another LB to the team.

Much of the information on players is considered "Top Secret" and is treated that way. We as fans must rely on reports from reporters, fans, and any other source that can shine some light on players. At the same time, opposing teams are also diligently looking for any scrap of info on players in an ongoing effort to gain any kind of advantage on gameday. I might be as slight as a player is a millisecond slower moving laterally to his left over moving laterally to his right. Another might be that a player likes to bite on a L.Head bob on crossing pattern coverage.

I hope that Oren Burks fully recovers, but in the meantime the ILB position needs a great player. I hope that it does not become GB's weak point on defense.

[mraynrand]

Agree, they might simply spend even less time in base.

less time in nickel?

[hoosier]

Sure. But the odds of finding a replacement with the same physical dimensions are low at this point. So someone bigger and slower (like Morrison last year) will get the base package snaps while someone smaller and niftier gets the sub package snaps. I just bet they prefer going light and encouraging the run rather than encouraging a play action pass against a Morrison type.

True. And there is also a difference between a three LB set with Burks in the middle and a similar set with a converted safety in the middle. My guess is that they are going to feel Burks's loss most in those formations where he would have been the only guy in the middle. In other words, the difference between a good Burks and a converted safety is greater than the diff between Burks and a slower, bigger guy like Morrison.

[pbmax]

less time in nickel?

Less time in standard 3-4. Could be only short yardage or certain game situations (like Packers behind and the opposing offense running off clock).

Nickel could be anything as they match personnel but might expect a run depending on tendencies.

Dime probably is all small ball. But without Burks and assuming Bolton or the other guy (Summers?) really break through, I think the percentage of nickel and dime and what did they call 7 DBs (quarter?) increases.

[Teamcheez1]

Whatever Burks injury is, the Packers are now cautiously saying they don't think it is a long term injury.

[Radagast]

Whatever Burks injury is, the Packers are now cautiously saying they don't think it is a long term injury.

Oren Burks is believed to have a torn pectoral muscle. These muscles, located in the chest and shoulders, work to power the movement of the shoulder/arm. I don't know just how long it will require for Burks to heal, but he has become an injury liability and needs to be replaced. I wish Burks all of the best, but his current and past injuries have become a piece of excess baggage that the Packers can't afford.

I can't say just who will start with Martinez at ILB as the reg season starts. "Gute" may well already have plans to secure FA veteran to replace Burks or He and LaFleur may have full confidence in an ILB already on the Packer roster. Depending upon who fills the starting slot, the Packer Defense may well have to adjust to include the play of a new ILB. What those adjustments might be will have to depend upon the strength/weaknesses of the new starting ILB.

[mraynrand]

I don't know just how long it will require for Burks to heal, but he has become an injury liability and needs to be replaced. I wish Burks all of the best, but his current and past injuries have become a piece of excess baggage that the Packers can't afford. ILB. What those adjustments might be will have to depend upon the strength/weaknesses of the new starting ILB.

Since you don't know how long it will take to heal, how can you affirmatively say he needs to be replaced? What if it's just two weeks?

[hoosier]

All I know is, Burks ain't exactly at the top of the pec-ing order.

[George Cumby]

All I know is, Burks ain't exactly at the top of the pec-ing order.

It would seem finding a suitable replacement is a pressing matter.